Five years after he directed The King, David Michôd is coming back in a big way. He’s got one of the biggest stars in the world, Sydney Sweeney, set to play boxer Christy Martin in an upcoming biopic, and now he’s just surrounded her with an incredible group of co-stars.
Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, and Chad L. Coleman have all joined Sweeney in the Christy Martin film, according to Black Bear Pictures. Mirrah Foulkes (Judy & Punch) wrote the screenplay. Coleman, a veteran of The Walking Dead, will take on the role of infamous boxing promoter Don King, which should be interesting.
“The film tells the unbelievable true story of formidable Christy Martin, who rose to fame as America’s most successful female boxer in the 1990s. A naturally gifted fighter, Christy’s life transformed in 1989 when she met her manager, and later husband, Jim Martin. Breaking boundaries, she became the first woman to sign with iconic promoter Don King, and the only female boxer to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Christy’s charisma, good looks and unwavering resilience in the ring won her a wide fan base and propelled her to become welterweight champion. Behind this well-honed public persona, Christy tackled personal demons, toxic relationships, and an attempt on her life, proving that a fighter’s hardest won victories aren’t always in the ring.”
Foster is one of the best actors in the world, although severely underrated. He’s best known for his award-winning performance in Hell or High Water, plus other acclaimed films such as Leave No Trace, The Messenger, and X-Men: The Last Stand. Okay, maybe that last one’s not so acclaimed.
Wever is a beloved character actress for her roles in Nurse Jackie, Godless, and The Walking Dead.
O’Brian is red-hot right now herself, and having a great year with the films Love Lies Bleeding and Twisters.
With the cast assembled, we could see the Christy Martin biopic next year around awards season.
